FOR BETTER CROPS IN THE SOUTH 61 



sorts. The Mammoth Yellow is one of the best of the erect 

 types, and the Barchet of the branching varieties. The latter 

 are usually more satisfactory in the extreme South. 



In seeding soy beans, the crop should always be planted in 

 drills and given one or two cultivations, as it does not succeed 

 as well as cowpeas when sown broadcast. The main crop 

 should be planted at about the same time as cotton, from two 

 to three pecks of seed being used per acre. When some of the 

 short-season varieties are used, either for an early crop or for 

 planting late in summer, about a bushel of seed should be used, 

 as the rows can be put much closer than with the larger growing 

 strains. 



Velvet Bean —Along the Gulf coast and for some distance 

 farther north the velvet bean has recently become an important 

 forage crop, especially for winter grazing. It makes a much 

 heavier growth than does either the cowpea or the soy bean, and 



Stacking alfalfa hay 



the vines and beans give good grazing through the winter, but 

 it must be planted early in the spring, and so occupies the 

 ground through the entire season. 



To plant an acre one peck of velvet beans will answer when 



planted carefully by themselves, on good ground; but when 



planted on very thin soils, or with corn, it is better to use a 

 bushel per acre. 



Sorghum— Another forage crop of great value, especially in 

 southern Texas and southern Florida, where it furnishes a good 

 part of the hay for home use is sorghum. The hay is coarse, 

 but of good quality, and as the crop has a long season of growth 

 it makes about three cuttings, with often a yield of ten tons 

 per acre. 



In planting sorghum it is usually best to plant the crop 

 early, at about the time corn is planted, a bushel per acre being 



